Page 6 - Logistics News August 2017

Opinion

Supply Chain execs need to prepare for
the new employee and new work models to drive
competitive advantage as logistics takes centre
stage in our Omni-outsourced world.

The New Employee

by Ann Grackin. Courtesy ChainLink Research

WE HEAR so much about Millennials. And we employees.
should. Half the world’s population is under 30 and As tough as it is for those starting out to get
they are also digital natives. When I say to the kids, that dream job, those jobs are clearly there. In
“How about just talking directly to the person,” I the U.S., for example, unemployment rate for the
get a blank look. They would much rather use their professional level is about 4.4% and for the low-
devices to get things done and be connected to all income workforce (restaurant workers and so) the
things, digitally. rate stands at around 6.4% according to the U.S.
They are taking over, so that is the new reality. Labour Department, with wages rising a bit in both
They thrive on apps, automation, convenience, categories—which show that there is competition
and are refreshingly collaborative. They are also for good employees.
far more educated than their seniors and more
diverse, bringing new viewpoints to the table—and Recruiting Young Talent
new markets. There is a huge talent shortage in the supply chain.
And that lack is a challenge to the enterprise—and
Cede the Playing Field the economy. So how do we recruit and provide a
As we cede the playing fi eld to a new generation, thriving environment for the new generation?
we have to support a new generation of Sadly, when job searching, applicants are
entrepreneurial innovation. We have evolved from confronted with application apps that have search
ideas that once were generated in a corporate lab methods that sift through their resumes for key
to ideas generated in college dorms. Today, new words. My guess is that most of you cannot reduce
ideas are born in the homes of the millennials who some of your greatest career accomplishments
are barely reaching high school graduation. Many down to a few key words. This approach is a real
of these people will be, are, or should be your problem, because several studies have come out

12 August 2017 | Logistics News